“Fuck you for making me like you,” he whispers against my neck.
With one last push, Pierce is buried as deep as he can go. I bite his shoulder as he starts to move against me, brushing against my clit with every perfect thrust. My legs shake around his waist as the pleasure intensifies. I’m trembling with every pent up scream and moan as he takes me faster and harder. It’s brutal and rough. There is no sweetness or tenderness between us this time. Only passion, anger, and regret. It feels like a punishment for us both. A beating we are taking because we deserve it.
When my orgasm hits me just as hard as his thrusts, I dig my nails into his back until he grunts in pain. He follows me, coming with a growl in my ear. Almost like he hates himself for it.
I shove him off me, still trying to catch my breath. He stumbles backward, pain twisting in his eyes. I want to punch him and scream at him but the fight leaves my body. Pierce has made up his mind, even if he hates it. He won’t turn on his family for me and part of me respects that. I quickly redress as Pierce steps away from me.
“You’re not mine anymore, Shiloh. I can’t keep you.”
I close my eyes, holding back the tears that threaten to fall and walk out of his office. I head toward the ocean, the only thing that ever calms me. The only thing that will always be there for me, no matter what coast I live on.
Fuck you for making me love you.
chapter twenty-four
pierce
“MR. STONE HAS docked,” Hans says as he enters my office.
I nod, watching the crew tie up the boat Cyrus just arrived on. About half a dozen of my guards greet him and start to search him.
“Where is Shiloh?” I ask.
“Still in her room. Still refuses to come out, but Alonzo is guarding the door.”
Good. Then she won’t run into Cyrus while I’m busy today.
I’m not taking any chances and I still don’t trust him. Before I hold up my end of the deal, I need Cyrus to hold up his. He agreed to meet a day before everyone one else arrives with my bride.
“Did you ask if she plans to attend tomorrow?”
“I did.”
“What did she say?”
“Nothing! She said nothing at all! I don’t have the ability to read her mind like you do.”
She will hate me after this. Somehow she wormed her way into my tight circle of trusted people. But she’s not family and they come first. I accepted the deal just as my father said I should.
A few of my men board the boat and return moments later with another man. There’s a black hood over his head and his wrists are tied behind his back. He kicks and fights as he’s taken off the boat. He still looks strong, even after a week of torture.
My blood rushes in my ears as I watch the faceless man. They drag him up the beach and inside my home. I wait, listening to them struggle down the hall. Hans opens the office door and the prisoner is shoved inside.
He falls to his knees, still blind with the black hood. I can hear his heavy breathing. His last breaths.
I wave off the guards and they leave me with just Hans and Luca’s killer. I enter the code in a hidden keypad and the bookshelf slides away, revealing a spiral staircase to the basement.
Hans pulls the man up and shoves him toward the stairs. I follow Hans as he guides the prisoner down the stairs and forces him to sit in a chair at the center of the room. Once he’s cuffed to the chair, I rip off the hood. A bruised face looks up at mine.
“James Dart. Welcome,” I greet him.
James clenches his jaw as he looks around the room. His gaze is calculated and focused. This is a man trained for the type of work we do. He sizes me up quickly, noticing the large screen behind us and the computer in front of me.
“The Prince of the East. Nice to meet you,” James mutters, spitting blood on the floor.
“I’ve heard a lot about you Mr. Dart.”
I pick up some of the photos our intel has gathered over the years. I drop them one by one to the floor so they surround him. Photos from scaling the walls of their mansion or drones flying over. Years of surveillance have captured James at the estate for years.
“You’ve been a personal guard for the Blackards for what? Seventeen years now?”
Another jaw tick. He knows we know who is. One of the closest guards. I turn on the large screen behind me. The live feed brightens the dim room, flashing across James’s shocked face.
“Harley has been very difficult to find. As your daughter one would expect visits on holidays and birthdays, but her mother won’t let you see her. She’s eighteen now?”
James bucks in his chair, growling and hissing at me like a beast. I turn to watch the feed of the dorm room she just moved into.
“She was hard to find. Until recently,” I tell him.
His eyes don’t leave the screen, but I see the confusion in his eyes. He’s wondering how we found a young woman he barely sees or speaks to. Someone he spent a long time trying to keep out of this life.
“That’s my cousin, Trent,” I say as a young guy enters the dorm room. “Just as I do, he wants the man responsible for our cousin’s death.”
Trent sits on the small bed with Harley, holding one of her hands. In less than a week I had him on campus with her and asking her out. Harley could have benefited from having her dad around. She is way too trusting.
“Plan is simple,” I tell James. “She will be unharmed if you answer my questions. I get my answers, Trent will leave her be.”
“Why the fuck would I trust a word you say?”
“Who else would you trust? Cyrus? Marcus? No. They sold you out. They turned on you. They hand delivered you, practically gift wrapped.”
He shakes his head. Loyalty is a bitch.
“You know, I am a little confused how one of the closest and longest members of the personal guards ends up on a simple hit. Men like you have a specialty.”
James’s heated stare bounces between me and the screen. Trent and Harley have started a movie and are watching it on her laptop, looks fairly innocent but that can change.
“Why have they betrayed you, James? Why pin you for a murder I fucking know you didn’t commit?”
His eyes widen and I turn to grab the photo Hans is holding out for me. It’s dated the day my cousin was killed.
“This is you, right? At the mansion gates in Las Vegas?”
James could burn a lesser man with the fire in his glare.
“This is your pin-up girl tattoo on the forearm here. You can see where I get confused. How could you kill my cousin in California while you’re in Vegas?”
I pick up my phone and dial Trent. We watch with a thirty-second delay as he answers his cell on the live feed.
“Do you have the tranquilizers?” I ask him, low enough she can’t hear. Her father does, though, and starts bucking in the chair. I’m surprised he hasn’t snapped it.
“Sure do,” Trent answers, throwing a thumbs up at the hidden camera.
“I’ll text when you need to use it. Behave until then. Hands above the covers.”
His laugh is cut off when I hang up the phone.
“Do you think your boss is more deserving than your daughter?” I ask James.
He shakes his head, hot fury rolling off him in waves.
“Cyrus tells me you went to California and shot my cousin, my best friend, in the chest eight times. He tells me you are obsessed with the Walsh girl I am searching for. You wanted to make sure no one found her.”
He continues to glare.
“Let’s cut the shit, James. I know you are not the man I’m looking for. Cyrus promised me the man that killed Luca if I married the Walsh girl. I do not like being lied to.”
“Then what do you want with me if you know I didn’t do it?”
“I want to know why, after seventeen years of loyal service, they threw you to the wolves.”
I close the distance between us, kneeling in front of him just out of his reach.
“They
turned on you, James. This alliance means more to them than your life. But I don’t like being played. Talk to me and Harley walks. I will make sure no one ever touches her or finds her again.”
Every man has his weakness. I found his.
“Did you fuck up?”
James looks down, trying to hide his guilt and regret, but I see it. Living with Shiloh has taught me to watch people more than listen to their words.
“Shiloh,” he whispers.
I jolt back, hearing her name leave his lips. It sounds like it belongs there. There’s a familiarity there I wasn’t expecting.
“This isn’t about the fucking alliance or Sarah. This is about Shiloh.”
“What about her?”
“If I tell you what I know, you get your cousin away from my little girl. Send her all the money I have in my safe deposit box and make her invisible again.”
He sounds like a man ready to die for the ones he loves. Someone that will do anything to keep her safe.
“Tell me what I need to know and I will. I am a man of my word James.”
“I’ve heard that about you. Also heard you’re a cocky fucker too.”
I bark out a laugh.
“Who killed Luca since we all know it wasn’t you.”
“Victor. Marcus only trusts Victor with the most important hits.”
“But he was killed after he failed his hit on me.”
James looks up at me, blood drying on his busted lips.
“Do you know who makes the best hit men? Men that don’t exist.”
“Why did Cyrus tell me you killed Luca?”
“I watched that girl since she was a toddler. She was difficult. So fucking difficult.”
“Sarah?” I ask.
“No. Shiloh.”
Yeah, that sounds like her. Difficult.
“So smart. And brave. She had her mother’s spirit and her father’s smarts. Deadly combination.”
“You were Shiloh’s guard?”
He nods and I look at Hans. He’s on the computer, digging through all of the intel we have, trying to make sense of the connections.
“It’s my fault she got away and ended up with you. Because of my mistake, all this was set in motion. The dancer. The arranged marriage. All to get her back.”
“Where is she?” I hiss at Hans.
“Alonzo is with her. She’s safe.” He holds up his phone, showing me the text conversation. A photo pops up as well. She’s leaning over her balcony, the sea breeze blowing in her hair.
“She was promised to Cyrus, just like Sarah was promised to you.”
“I never agreed to trade her for Sarah. We traded you for Sarah.”
He laughs and looks over my shoulder at the screen.
“He doesn’t need to trade her. She will leave willingly once you’re married.”
I clench my fists. He’s most likely right, but I have a small hope she’ll stay.
“Sir,” Hans calls for my attention.
I join him at the computer where he shows me a grainy photo. It’s dated just a few years ago. Zooming in, we see a man that can be James with a young woman. Long blond hair falls down her back as he pulls her back to the mansion by the upper arm.
“Why is Shiloh at the Blackard estate?”
“What do you think her last name is?” James asks. “You really don’t know who she is?”
On the computer screen, Marcus Blackard himself fills the screen. His mother on one side and his late wife on the other. Startling blue eyes look into the camera.
Her blond hair is pulled up into an elegant undo. Her smile is familiar. I feel her stare deep in my chest. The resemblance is so obvious now.
I slam my fist through the monitor.
chapter twenty-five
shiloh
PIERCE GALLO IS a man of his words. He promised a young woman anything she wanted to free him. He promised to avenge his cousin’s death. He promised I would get hurt if I stayed.
The house buzzes with rumors and whispers of what’s to come. Guests will start arriving by air and sea today. The wedding is scheduled for dusk.
The wrong woman will walk down that aisle today. An alliance will be formed based on a lie.
I can’t expose the truth now. It’s far too late. Pierce will resent me for hiding the truth this long, allowing his cousin to die searching for someone that was right under his nose the entire time. My own family would turn on me for my betrayal. So instead I watch from my balcony as a boat approaches in the distance. Cyrus arrived the day before with security. The bride and remaining few guests should be here shortly.
Soon the tiny island that was once my own haven will be crawling with everything and everyone I fought to get away from.
A soft knock sounds and Eli comes into the bedroom. Alonzo stands outside. He hasn’t left his post since yesterday. With Cyrus on the property, everyone seems on guard.
“I brought you a dress for this evening,” she says, setting a garment bag on the bed.
Julie follows behind with a shoe box and another small velvet box on top. I see the pity in their eyes when they look at me. They feel sorry for me because I was cast aside so easily.
But this was never a competition. I never really stood at chance at winning Pierce’s heart. He never offered it to me. I was always just a tool. A tool to entertain him and get to my family.
“He’s an idiot,” Eli says as she unzips the bag.
I gasp when I see the dress. The delicate lace is a turquoise blue at the bodice and fades into a lighter aqua at the hem of the skirt. It reminds me of the ocean I love so much.
I smile, hoping to convey my thanks without words. Julie takes the velvet box and opens it for me. Inside is a pearl necklace that complements the dress perfectly.
“Show him what he’s missing,” she says with a wink.
I nod, taking the necklace and holding the dress up to my frame. I run my fingers over the lace, wishing I could be wearing this for anything else. I wish something as simple as a dress could change his mind.
“The bride is pulling into port,” Alonzo announces as he comes into the bedroom.
The ladies leave me, grumbling about spoiled bitches. I run my fingers over the sweetheart neckline of the dress. Outside a large boat sits at the dock. I wonder if I will be on it when it departs.
I dress and curl my long blond hair. I can’t help but remember the last wedding I got ready for. My grandma was there helping, and I was surrounded by family. Today, I have never felt so alone.
When I’m done, I look at myself in the mirror. The blue ombré of the dress makes my blue eyes stand out. It’s my armor for the day. I clasp the necklace around my neck and slip my feet into the sandals.
My hand freezes on the doorknob while I gather my courage. I’ve hidden enough in the bedroom for the past week, waiting for Pierce to come tell me he changed his mind. I won’t just sit here while he throws me away. I am going to at least be standing next to him when he seals my fate.
I am a Blackard, a princess of a criminal empire. I can do this. I won’t cry or hide.
Outside my door, Alonzo waits, now wearing a tuxedo.
“Miss,” he says, holding out his arm for me to take. “May I escort you today?”
I smile and link my arm through his. I’ll need all the armor I can get. As soon as we step outside, I feel everyone’s eyes on me. The yard has been transformed for the wedding. An arch covered in flowers waits at the end of a white aisle runner. A dozen or so tables sit underneath a large tent.
Eccedentesiast: (n.) someone who hides pain behind a smile.
The kitchen crew hustles around, setting up a buffet and last minute decorations. I heard Pierce insisted the wedding take place here, on his own territory. He insisted on full control.
Cyrus sits at a table with a few other men that look vaguely familiar. His eyes are hard and for the first time in my life, I don’t feel safe around my former best friend.
I force myself to look away from Cyrus. I
look to where the waves crash against the sand. Two familiar girls stand on the shore, letting the saltwater brush over their feet.
I head toward them just as they turn around.
Poppy sees me first. Her eyes go wide before she starts to run. When we meet halfway, I throw my arms around her, inhaling the familiar scent of her shampoo. She squeezes me tightly.
“Shiloh! Are you okay? Did they hurt you?” she starts firing off questions as she pats me down for any injuries. “Are you safe?”
I nod, trying to smile through all the emotions. I missed her so much.
“I was so worried about you,” she whispers in my ear so only I can hear.
I know she probably knew where I was since the moment they realized I was gone. Poppy was the only person that knew about the first night at the night club.
Which means she knows Sarah is not the girl that saved Pierce.
“Shiloh,” Melody whispers as she pulls me in her arms. “You really are here.”
The three of us hug and I feel a little safer with two of my sisters. I have someone on my side. They don’t seem to hate me for running. All I see is relief and affection in their watery eyes.
“Cyrus says you can’t speak?” Melody asks.
I nod my head. I wonder what else Cyrus told them.
I glance behind them to get a look at the boat still docked down the shore. I hear voices as a few more people unload their luggage. I haven’t seen Sarah yet. Poppy follows my line of sight.
“She’s still aboard. Dad and the girls couldn’t make it,” she explains. “It’s too dangerous,”
I nod even though I am a little hurt Dad didn’t come for me. I almost expected him to show up furious and demand I leave with him. I should have realized he wouldn’t endanger himself or his secrets.
I don’t have much time for my pity party because two more people step off the boat. Melody’s husband Conner is helping a young woman step onto the dock. My heart pounds as they approach us.
“This is Sarah Walsh, my sister,” Conner introduces.
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